Sister Jenna

Sister Jenna is the founder and director of the Meditation Museum, a non-profit organization which has been active in Silver Spring, Maryland since 1997. It features interactive displays of various faith traditions and offers tailored training sessions providing tools for personal development. The Museum hosts a variety of conversations, workshops, special presenters and meditation sessions on a weekly basis which are attended by approximately 200 people per month. All course offerings are free to the public.

The workshops address challenges and concerns of residents of the community and offer suggestions to assist people in facing and resolving obstacles. Those who attend the Meditation Museum’s workshops and events reflect the diversity of the community with representatives of various races, ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic backgrounds, religious and spiritual traditions and ages ranging from teenagers to senior citizens. Additionally, it attracts residents from the local community as well as visitors to the Nation’s Capital from around the world.

In June, 2012, after acts of violence at the Gurudwar Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and the Aurora, Colorado shootings, Sister Jenna, noted that the country is in need of reflection, silence, meaning, and personal power, more than ever before. She then launched a nationwide initiative entitled “America Meditating” which aims to build a country that is a more peaceful and safe place and encourages people to set aside time each day to pause for inner self-reflection. As she often says, “A more peaceful individual equals a more peaceful world.” Events were held in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Bel Air, Maryland, and Hawaii.

Over the years, the Meditation Museum has been active in working with various non-profit organizations, interfaith communities, local and federal government, and scientific areas. For the past 16 years in the area, 14 citywide initiatives were launched and subsequently became global. The Museum has brought much attention to the importance of becoming a more value-based community with local and global trust and cooperation amongst all. Sister Jenna and the Meditation Museum are extraordinary and inspiring examples within our community.

A few years ago, a young man came to sell videos at the museum and although the Museum does not generally accept solicitations, they did on this occasion. After a month, the young man approached Sister Jenna, and shared that he was living out of his car. Sister Jenna arranged for him to stay in a lovely million dollar vacant home in Mclean, Virginia, for two years rent-free and worked closely with him to regain his self-confidence and make him marketable in the workforce. He eventually gained employment and moved to his own apartment. He is now independent, standing on his own feet and continues his studies at the Museum. The story here is that Sister Jenna has a tremendous heart. Over the past 14 years, proclamations have been issued from local and national government officials to recognize the Sister Jenna and the Meditation Museum for the commitment to serve humanity and work for positive change.

Submitted by Antonia

Dedication

Roz Reich from Hollywood, Florida, USASEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Sister Jenna has the gift of inspiring others thru her excellent ability to communicate in a loving, humours, manner...Her style appeals to many and here in Hollywood when we announce she is coming to town and will speak--the gathering of participants overflows. She is a blessing in so many lives.

Ashish from McLeanJULY 17, 2014
You can look outside and search for something out there, read books, get on the internet and never really change your direction. Sister Jenna is a special soul who knows true change has to come from the inside. She is as real as it gets and serves society worldwide. It is an honor to be touched by her presence.

Perry Boggia from Silver Spring MD, NY NYJULY 16, 2014
Walk up the stairs to the Meditation Musuem, at each and ever step you will see spiritual principles and a clear explanation of what that principle looks like in everyday application. As, a former teacher , I can appreciate the absolute need for a student to have a strong character to be able to achieve and live a full life.
These principles are empowering as they require only our participation. Sister Jenna talks about world peace and how to promote it. She says - "Be peaceful yourself" and thus become a positive influence to others. It has been said by many that the greatest achievement any of us can obtain is to "be our true self" . Take that idea , and connect it to being in touch with our Creator and you have a mighty person, someone who could actually achieve world peace, someone like Sister Jenna. She is unshakable in her believe in these principles, so she attracks like minded people.
She is a peaceful soul and you can actually "feel it" when she walks into a room.

Portia Davidson from Woodbridge, VirginiaJULY 15, 2014
I have known Sister Jenna over the past ten years. Sister Jenna has proven herself to be an extraordinary and inspiring example within our community due to her mission to help others find their inner power, self-esteem, and wisdom to lead the community and world from within, On many occasions, I asked Sister Jenna to participate in numerous conferences and workshops that promote positive awareness, change, and solutions, while I worked as the Strategic Planner for the U.S. Army at the Pentagon and also as the Workforce Policy Advisor to the Commandant at the Coast Guard in Washington, DC. The U.S. Coast Guard awarded Sister Jenna numerous commendation awards for her outstanding contributions and support of the Coast Guard’s military and civilian workforce. She created an inspiring Stress Management Meditation CD that benefited the entire workforce. Sister Jenna was inducted as an honorary member of ‘Team Coast Guard” in June 2103.
Her spiritual leadership in a city like Washington, D.C. has yielded meaningful relationships for personal, local, and global change.
Sister Jenna is a dynamic communicator and has special ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with all echelons of personnel in cross-cultural and diverse environments. She relates well with all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization. She has the unique talent to influence and empower others, and she builds constructive relationships with members of the community as evidenced by her unique ability to organize hundreds of volunteers to assist with the planning and execution of major events. Sister Jenna’s personal center of influence attracts a global network of accomplished leaders and innovators across diverse corporate multi-cultural environments.
Sister Jenna is a committed to excellence in improving the lives of all humanity.
Sister Jenna is the recipient of President Obama's National Community Service Award. I know of no one more inspiring and life-changing than Sister Jenna.

Sreedhar from PhiladelphiaJULY 14, 2014
Sister Jenna is a great soul who lives with great values and helps others too.She is REAL hero who is simple and sample. We are very happy and fortunate to know her.We greatly appreciate her spiritual and very useful services for the current world.

Deep Vudathu - 16 from Martinsburg, WVJULY 13, 2014
A moment spent with Sister Jenna is a portmanteau of many feelings and experiences. In a moment she whisks you away with her loving words and benevolent nature and in another moment she imparts upon you the wisdom she has acquired over the years. Through her years of learning and teaching yoga, she has learn to meld peace and humor and carries about her a light nature that empowers those around her. Sister Jenna is the embodiment of a peaceful nature and through this, she is able to help those whose souls are in turmoil.

Ram from WVJULY 13, 2014
Sister Jenna is very loving,friendly and great spiritual teacher. Her sessions are very inspiring and she works tirelessly and selflessly to serve Humanity. She is definitely spiritual Hero

Gita from MarylandJULY 13, 2014
Thank you Sister Jenna, for being so inspiring.

Neeraj Dhingra from Silver Spring, MDJULY 12, 2014
Sister Jenna is a charismatic personality. You can feel vibration of love and peace just by her presence. The words spoken by her are so effective that the intellect absorbs them easily and you feel as if you are relieved of all the tensions.
I thank to the beloved father to have given me the opportunity to experience his love through Sister Jenna.

Rhonda from Silver SpringJULY 12, 2014
Sister Jenna has helped so many see the better side of themselves and each other. I am thankful for all that I continue to learn from her teaching. Thank You Sister Jenna!

Ram from MartinsburgJULY 12, 2014
Sister Jenna is very loving and friendly spiritual Hero for our family. We live 100 miles away from Meditaiton Museum but every weekend we make visit to this place for her class which is sustaining our personal, social and professional lives for the last 7 years. What we really enjoy is her dedication to serve humanity and her sincere effort to bring unity in diversity. She inspired my son at the age of 13 to be part of the team to develop an app "Pause for Peace" for iPhone and Android. My personal realization through Sister Jenna's teachings is learn to be Peaceful and Cheerful naturally and constantly in every day's life with the third eye of spiritual knowledge. Thanks to Sr.Jenna and her team for serving the community.

Evelyn Mendoza from Rockville, MDJULY 12, 2014
All my unconditional love and support in earning this honor.

Evelyn Mendoza from Rockville, MDJULY 12, 2014
The quote by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin says it all - “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” I met Sr. Jenna almost 2 years ago and since then and through her teachings, this quote became more meaningful. The minute she walks into the room you can feel her magnetism. Her words of wisdom, feels like music to my ears. Sr. Jenna is not only my super hero but a hero for many of us who are blessed to have her so close in our community. Her dedication, inspirational work, and unconditional love have no boundaries. All my love and unconditional support in earning this honor!

Samu from VirginiaJULY 11, 2014
Sister Jenna is awesome.
I am so happy and proud of her dedication, wisdom and
her innovative ideas of service to the community.
Her talks, workshops, radio shows are very inspirational. Thank you sister.

Sulekha Parshad from Baltimore MDJULY 11, 2014
Thank you for being a member of power team BKWSU to make this world a better place for self n each n everyyone of us by giving your personal best leading the way to world transformation thru self transformation
Om Shanti

reemberto from silver springJULY 11, 2014
We are so happy to have Sister Jenna and the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring! They are great community members!

freddy garcia from Woodbridge,VirginiaJULY 11, 2014
Sister Jenna is devoted to explain spiritual knowledge, that nurtures respect for all faith traditions, coherently explains the nature of soul, God, time, and karma, and delineates an enlightened lifestyle. teaching a form of meditation that relaxes the mind and nurtures a healthy balance between our inner and outer worlds, through numerous social service activities ,Sister Jenna is teaching spiritual understanding, leadership with integrity and elevated actions towards a better world

Kat from MarylandJULY 11, 2014
This is a perfect selection! Sister Jenna is a superhero, devoted to serving humanity selflessly and a loving and beautiful soul! All my support in earning this appropriate honor!

Vinaya Saunders from HerndonJULY 11, 2014
Sister Jenna, is more mother Jenna for me. He arms are always open for anyone who is in need for a hug.
BKS is truly inspiration for everything I do in my profession. I frequently send most of my clients to experience the awareness and energy which touches you instantly the second you are in conversation with Sister Jenna!
Everyone needs meditation in their daily life,
Meditation musuem provides it in a variety of ways appealing to all ages.
There is no other meditation center around norther Capital belt doing and offering programs as much as meditation museum offers. And for free is such a blessing to all.
Thank You! Mother Jenna---for being the light for many who are on a path of awakening
Untill we connect again,
Om Shanti!

Freny from Columbia MDJULY 11, 2014
I love listening to Sr.Jenna. She is a wonderful person, a great teacher and an inspiring human being. I love to know about her perspectives on different topics that we discuss.

Pratibha from RI,USAJULY 11, 2014
She is really great..She teaches by example..Washington DC is very lucky to have her in their corner!

David from WashingtonJULY 11, 2014
Sister Jenna is my hero!

Lakshmi from West VirginiaJULY 11, 2014
She is really great. I come from West Virginia every Week to This place and to attend her teachings and work shops. She is very loving and friendly. She inspires me so much. I don't miss even one week. She fills me up with power which sustainers me entire week. She is really great, I can't explain in words, how much benefit I get from her. She helped me to develop my self confident. I am so thankful to her.

Julio Mendoza from Rockville, MarylandJULY 11, 2014
Lots of appreciations for having an inspiring human being in the Washington Metropolitan Area and a mentor to the world. Thanks Sister Jenna for guiding us into silence, true wisdom and unconditional love.

Vega from Silver Spring, MarylandJULY 11, 2014
Sister Jenna is indeed an example of dedication and commitment. Such an appropriate honor! We need more Sister Jenna's on the planet guiding us to the light!

Khelan Dattani from Wasington DCJULY 11, 2014
Thank you Sister Jenna for being a great voice of wisdom in the city of Washington DC and the world. Looking forward to more in the coming years.

Tatiana from Washington DCJULY 10, 2014
Love what she offers and how she glides in a space!

MARIA DUFFY
My MOM is my biggest inspiration She is my Wonder woman. I am sooo truly Blessed to have a such a magnificent Loving kind hearted person she always put others before herself she awesome mother & awesome wife to my wonderful Father she works really hard God has really bless me with a beautiful woman that has a...SUBMITTED BY NINARead Story

TRACEY WILLOUGHBY
My mom has always been there for me always keeping me going. When I was down she always helped me feel better. I have autism and only my mom believed I could achieve my dreams. I graduated 4 months early because of her belief in me. SUBMITTED BY TREY WILLOUGHBYRead Story

MY PARENTS
I had a stroke at birth, doctors to this day still don’t know why I had the stroke. I was in hospital for a month and stopped breathing several times at which point I nearly died. When I was released from hospital I was a year behind my milestones but caught up. After a few years I recovered fully from the stroke...SUBMITTED BY TANIELLE Read Story

BARBARA (RICH) MCCABE
I was about 8 years old when I was telling my mom about a dream I had one night. I told her that in my dream, I was trying on dresses and one was a bright yellow and as I looked in the mirror I saw me wearing the dress and that I was also a black girl. I remember, as I said that, I must have had a look on my face...SUBMITTED BY IRENERead Story

NORA JOHNSON
Growing up with my grandparents because my mom was a drug addict . My aunt Nora would always be the one to help me realize we weren't a normal family. To always be a better person, save money . Work hard and stay away from drugs and alcohol . She came to visit almost every day and took me to her house on...SUBMITTED BY TANYA HARO Read Story

MICHAEL MICHAEL
Born the youngest of four children to an abusive alcoholic father and an ill mother, Michael learned early on to make lemonade of lemons. When he was four years old, he and his siblings & mother were able to escape their father. They had nothing other than the clothes on their backs. The family survived by living...SUBMITTED BY ARead Story

MENSAH JOSEPH MOM MABEL FORTUNE
My mom taught me to be daring,bold and unwavering.A single mom who raised three children in the face of adversity but stood tall to bring the very best out of us.I can look back today and say because of my darling mom,i didnt give up the fight.I gave it all my all and i am looking forward to that day when i am...SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH MENSAHRead Story

SABIAN CARABELLO
This is the third year Sabian Carabello has donated winter coats to Milwaukee students. More than 300 coats have been given out in the first two years of the drive, and he hopes to make the biggest impact yet this year. On Wednesday 50 new coats were dropped off at Unity Charter School. Kudos to Sabian Carabello...SUBMITTED BY SABIAN CARABELLORead Story

AMARA OKEKE
My hero is my late mother
Since 2000, she fells sick.
She was diabetic, all my life I have taken care of her , I abandoned my school, my Visa and career to taken care of her , after 19 years of my sufferings she died last two Saturdays..I was actually 6 years when I started cooking, doing house chores for my...SUBMITTED BY ADADINMA EMMANUELLA OKEKERead Story

JAMES S.
My husband James has been a true blessing to me in so many ways. He has over come some hard opsticals in his life. But through all of my mistakes he has always loved me. He helped me see the light through one of the toughest times in my life. As a mother of two and forced into a hystorectomy. He forgave my...SUBMITTED BY LORI STILESRead Story

KENNY SHIREY
My story may be a little different from everyone else. I lost my oldest son to suicide over ten years ago and with that I lost my best friend and my hero. With his loss it made me realize just how important love and family means. Til this day we have no clue why he took his own life, but I turned to God for...SUBMITTED BY LES SHIREYRead Story

COLIN ANDREWS
My Son Colin is 16 years of age and is on the Autism Spectrum (Asperger's). I admire him because he keeps trying is best to improve on his disability, he doesn't let anything get him down. He has not been able to acquire one on one lasting friendship, though the years. For me this is tough, knowing growing up...SUBMITTED BY CYNTHIA DEMAIO ANDREWSRead Story

ALEXANDER KOVAROVIC
I wanted to share the story of someone in my community who is seriously changing lives and is extremely inspirational to so people across the country. He truly shows what being a truly amazing person is all about. His name is Alex Kovarovic and he lives in Schenectady, NY. He used to live in Gloversville, NY and...SUBMITTED BY AMIR ABOUARRARead Story

KINGDOM WILLIAMS
My 9 year old son Kingdom was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 years old. Although he has challenges, he has an insight to die for. He is able to see and appreciate so many things that I have walked passed my whole life without seeing. For example, he has shown me that there are letters and numbers...SUBMITTED BY MARILYN JONESRead Story

ZOE REED
Zoe Reed fought cystic fibrosis for 11 years watching children like herself die along the way never complaining.on her death bed in 1994 i promised to walk around the world in her memory.between 1990 and 2012 her courage has inspired me to walk over 25,000 km her courage lives on.Nigel Reed ( Zoes Dad.)SUBMITTED BY NIGEL REEDRead Story

JAMES SCRUGGS
My dad came into our lives when I was 6 years old. Thanks to him, I was able to live through a very rare type of brain cancer. I was always told that I wouldn't be able to work and couldn't have children. They said I only had 4 months to live when I was 17 years old. Because of my dad's encouragement and love, I...SUBMITTED BY LESLIE RANDOLPHRead Story

TRENT NUNLEY
my dad is my hero because he used to be in the military but retired to spend more time with his family. we all get to spend alot of time together, and we all enjoy it. every day he comes home and the first thing he does is say hello to his family. he drives me and my sister to tae kwon do, because he knows what...SUBMITTED BY HAILEY NUNLEY Read Story

TRUDY ANN LATOYA AMA CAMPBELL
Trudy Ann Campbell is a born Jamaican woman whose passion for great achievement is unparalleled and she has this zeal to reach for greater heights in spite of the impediments ahead of her anytime,prime time.She is a care giver,goal setter,goal giver and getter too,family oriented,highly ambitious and helps other...SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH MENSAH ADURead Story

SYLVESTER ADAMS III
My nephew was born with an hole in his heart. His was repaired and he was given a pacemaker. Oh he thrived with that, his smile was amazing but he had problems and before he was three he needed a new heart. He received a new heart and the little baby smiled, as if his chest wasn't cut open. He smiled as if he...SUBMITTED BY PRISCILLA ADAMSRead Story

CHUCK, WES, ANDREW, HUNTER SEMP
These guys have lived to serve others in their lives. They have chosen paths that require commitment and a centered life. They live to make the world a better place. As teenagers they sang gospel music anywhere that could, anytime. As adults, they have chosen careers of service. Self sacrifice has always been...SUBMITTED BY JEANRead Story

RAMONA DUPREE
Hello, my name is Talina Simpson. My mother has taught me many things. But one value that really comes to mind is to believe in myself. She made me aware of bad people in the world that would aim to bring me down and that they would be successful if I didn't believe in myself. As a kid, when I would come home sad...SUBMITTED BY TALINA SIMPSONRead Story

TERRY WELLS
My story is that my dad was in the ARMY for 10 years and i wasn't even born yet and i always say thank you for your service to everyday. I love him so much i am thankful that he is still here for me today. And my godfather Josh was in the ARMY with my dad and he is like my dad, so i sometimes call him dad. 2...SUBMITTED BY ELLIE WELLS- AGE 10Read Story

GABRIEL GALLEGOS
My father unfortunately passed away not too long ago. The value he instilled in me was to always help people if I had the means and was able to do so. As a result of this I studied psychology and now work with at risk youth, families who are going through domestic violence issues and victims of sexual assault. I...SUBMITTED BY GABRIELA GALLEGOSRead Story

FREDDY BRAMMEIER
I often traveled with my father during the summer to pick up feed/seed… he was a farmer…I basically went everywhere with him when he wasn't working at his factory job… One day, we went to a female, about 20 miles south of our house… When we got almost all the way home… We were stopped at a railroad crossing… and...SUBMITTED BY ALIZABETH BRAMMEIER Read Story

ERICKA BROWN
Ericka is a single mother of 4 young men. She also recently enrolled back into college at 43 years of age after dropping out over 20 plus years ago. Ericka have overcome molestation, sexual abuse and domestic violence. Ericka is always positive despite of all she's been through. She continues to wear a smile...SUBMITTED BY JANET JONESRead Story

ADEKUNLE FAGBENLE, ESQ.
Words can hurt, and words can heal. The power of the wordsmith cannot be understated. My Brother Kunle had a potent way with words, and not once did I hear him use them unwisely. Just when I would think I had it all figured out, he would suggest something that surpassed my logic. I am sure I became 17.5x smarter...SUBMITTED BY TORERA A. FAGBENLERead Story

MY GRANDMOTHER AND MOTHER
My Grandmother was a very faithful person. She taught me to think and do for others without a return involved and she taught me to have hope and faith in good and bad times. My Mom taught me to be a strong, independent woman. She also taught me to speak up for injustice. If it pertained to me or community. SUBMITTED BY ROBYN Read Story

ASHLEY EUBANKS
As women, we go through a number of physical, mental and social struggles unknown by our male counterparts. When “that time of the month” comes we either reach into our stash of pads or tampons, or rush to the nearest drugstore for the $5 box we so haphazardly spend on to prepare ourselves for our dreading...SUBMITTED BY ERICA EUBANKS Read Story

JOSEPH ADU
Being there has been my goal and desire toward humanity,children,youth in the very core of catching them young in educational sector. Akwasi Mensah Joseph Adu has been a motivator, teacher, coach to countless students in Nigeria, Ghana, Sub African nations and across the globe who has touched,taught many in...SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH MENSAH ADURead Story

HANNA HUNTLEY
I'd like to tell about my friend Hanna who passed away on Tuesday 31st of October, 2017.
I called her HH because I liked to pretend I was a serious writer and would sign all correspondence with her with "TF". But I can hardly talk about serious writers without talking about Hanna. My first proper encounter...SUBMITTED BY TORERA A. FAGBENLERead Story

ALEXANDRIA LEWIS
During the hurricane my mother who is close to 80 didn’t have power in her house for 2 weeks . My daughter Alexandria stayed with her and helped her. Her roof was leaking and she tried to go on the roof to try to fix it but it was too dangerous. I who am her mother was not there because I am working in South...SUBMITTED BY MELANIE ALDERSHOFFRead Story

RACHEL STCBRIDGE
My BBC Rachel has special needs. But she is so sweet.
How I met her is one day I was sad and she came to me and said that everything is going to be OK.
How I know that she is caring is she helps everyone that is sad, scared, or even mean to her. She will just not let stuff get in her head. SUBMITTED BY SHAMIE FRead Story

AXANA SOLTAN
Axana is an inspiration. At only fifteen in United States, Axana became the CEO and Founder of Enhancing Children’s Lives Organization, a foundation dedicated to providing access to education, advocacy, medical care and meal nourishment to low-income children in Virginia and around the world. Axana’s steadfast...SUBMITTED BY KIRSTENRead Story

TIFFANY WRIGHT
The person I call my hero is my twin disabled big sister name Tiffany. As I reflect back on growing up with tip I can definitely say, “it has been one heck of a ride”! People would always tell me that they wish they had a twin but to me I never felt that at the time. My sister is blind deaf and is in a...SUBMITTED BY BRITTANY WRIGHT Read Story

MOTHER TERESA
Mother Teresa was born in Albania and left her home country very early in life. She lived in Ireland to learn English, and ultimately went to India where she resided until her death. She was a beacon of hope for many. She did not look to caste, class, religion, skin color, or any other identity to separate...SUBMITTED BY JOE SPAGNUALORead Story

Where did your values come from?

We've all had people in our lives who have made a positive impact on us. A parent or grandparent, a sibling who was there for us, or maybe even just a guy who shines shoes for a living? Whoever they are, tell us their story so they can inspire us even more.